The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1887-10-06
YELLOW TOBACCO,
CHEMISTRY or THE PLANT.
Interesting Discussion Of an Important
Topic-Maj. Ragland Replies to Capt.
Shows Article.
[Southern Tobacco Journal.

several queries propounded by my
esteemed friend, Col. w. c. Knight,
editor Southern Planter, / stated sub
stantially that nicotine is a distinct
substance inherent in every part of the
tobacco plant, green or dry, roots, stalk,
leaves and seeds, and is not generated
by the process of curing, and that
the relative portion of nicotine
varies considerably in the various
types Of tobacco, the yellow contain
ing much less than the dark heavy
type.
In this view l am pleased to see that
Capt. w. H. Snow fully concurs in
his review in Journal, Sept. 10th. But
from some of the views therein en-
unciated l am forced to dissent.
That the lower leaves of the tobacco
plant as they ripen contain less nico-
tine, are milder and make the best
smokers goes without saying among
all tobacco men, producers, manufac-
turers and consumers.
Capt. Snow says: "It is imperative
that these leaves be removed from the
stalk before curing, if desired mild.
The ripe tobacco stalk contains an
acrid pungent flavor foreign to Hs leaf
largely composed of chlorophyl, ex-
ceedingly bitter in favor and green
in color. This, with the potash and
acetic acid, with the evolution Of
ammonia in the heat of the curing
barn, load the leaf with a substance
capable of blistering the mouth. X
But if the leaves are removed from
the stalk and cured in the best known
way they are void of poison SO largely
contained in the stalk"
There is only one poisonous sub
stance in the tobacco plant, nicotine,
and Capt Snow says that "the stalk
contains less nicotine than the leaves" :"
which is true.
Chloropyl is the coloring matter of
the plant, found more largely in the
leaves than in the stalk, which abounds
in woody fbre-pure cellulose. Chic
rophyl is neither bitter nor poisonous.
The heat changes the color of the
chlorophyl globules, as the process of
etiolation goes on in the curing pro-
cess, but not a particle of poisonous
matter is evolved from leaf or stalk of
plants cured whole.
Neither chlorophyl nor potash is
volatilized in the curing process, from
leaves or stalks, and as regards acetic
acid the ripe plant contains none, nor
is it evolved during the curing. See
list of substances forming the constitu-
ents of the tobacco plant hereafter
enumerated.
There is very small percentage of
nitrogen in yellow tobacco cured on
the stalk, as demonstrated by analysis
less than onehalf of one per cent, As
100 actual according to DR.. Voelcker
The stalk contains even less, 44-Ioo
of one per cent. of nitrogen. We
therefore assert, without the fear C1
successful contradiction, that ammonia
generated from so small percentage
of nitrogen in the leaves and stalks o.
tobacco cured on the stalk, is toe
small to sensibly affect the taste Oh
smell of the leaf.
To sum up the matter, then, we
find there is no poison in the Chloro
phyl or potash, acetic acid or ammo
MIA loading up the leaf cured along
with the stalk, and that the stalk con
tains no substance 'J0reign to the Ieay
possessing an acrid pungent favor ,
Bright yellow tobacco contains the
following: Lime, magnesia, oxide o
iron, potash, chloride of potassium
chloride of sodium, phosphoric acid
sulphuric acid, soluble silica and car
bonic acid.
DR.. Voelcker says: 81 find merel,
trace of the nitrates in the tanc,
bright tobacco, which is one of tht
reasons why this tobacco has a yer,
mild taste, for in all biting, strong to
baccoS | find invariably nitrates art
present in considerable proportions.
This, mark you, is the opinion of Eng
lands most eminent analytical chemis
of his day, founded upon the analysis
of sample of tobacco raised by Mr.
F. E. Lyon, of Granville county, n
c., and cured on the stalk.
PLANTERS OF THE PAST NOT wITHOU.
HONOR.
Before Morse had evolved the tele
graph or Mccormick invented tn
reaper, Slade, Long and Tuck wer
contriving and celebrating the yellow
curing process-the fne art of tobacco
planting. The bright yellow type hat
won its way to public favor and ap
: probation long years before the {" Mod
ern Barn" was envolved from th
brain of its worthy patentee.
"THE MODERN BARN" SUCCESS.
That Capt. Shows barn is a sue
cess in many respects is most cheerful